The objective of the Entrepreneurship Development Programme is to train motivated individuals towards entrepreneurship, develop their business understanding & skills and empower them to independently establish and manage successful enterprises. It covers the basics of identification, setting up and management of businesses to meet the needs of budding as well as existing entrepreneurs. The training is delivered through a multimedia platform in a classroom environment, supported by courseware that clients retain.

[2] Enterprise Packages (EPs) - MCR and Poultry Farming

The enterprise packages have been developed to provide rural unemployed persons the options to acquire technical training in a variety of different businesses. Based on the initial demand surveys, broiler-based poultry farming and Micro Concrete Roofing (MCR) tiles manufacturing were selected as they met the criteria for relatively low cost and therefore financable businesses, within the rural context, and which met the gating criteria of scalability and sustainability. Both businesses are also ideal models to provide a template, or platform, for the creation of additional EPs to be developed in the future. These Packages defines two different sets of enterprises namely manufacturing industry which would convert “waste to wealth”, while the other would be focused on small scale agriculture based enterprise.MCR
is a technology developed by DA, and is based on recycling waste to various building products. The small scale Poultry segment was selected because of its rapid returns and low investment requirements, together with the relative lack of complexity of the business.

Each EP teaches the aspiring entrepreneur the fundamentals of business, and covers the technical elements of the business. It also covers the areas of starting their business, finance, marketing, sales customer service and other essential areas needed to ensure their success. Each EP is delivered in local language and is designed to the educational and cultural level of the potential audience. Community input has been invaluable in product design and content delivery architecture. The training is delivered through a multimedia platform in a classroom environment, supported by courseware that clients retain.

[3] Web-based Business Support System

The web-based business support system provides entrepreneurs with ongoing support, even after the training period is complete. It is a computer-based system, which recognizes the inadequate level of infrastructure available to the vast majority of India’s rural citizens and does not rely on live Internet connectivity. It has a user-friendly, multi-lingual interface. The system integrates two applications; the first, a database of questions categorized by enterprise, domain and region, called the FAQ Database. It is designed on a search engine model allowing for free text, keyword based and category-based searches.

The 2nd application, AskTheExpert service, allows entrepreneurs to submit queries to which they has

not found answers in the FAQ database. The queries are submitted through a user-friendly web site, which has been designed to support multilingual voice or text format along with pictures. The queries are stored in the computer until it connects to the Internet and is transmitted to experts identified by TARAhaat. Once these services are fully operational, and the broadband infrastructure supports online support, entrepreneurs can expect answers from the experts within 48 hours.

[4] Local Enterprise Consultants

Local consultants, called TARAgurus, are experts on a number of business or industry specific issues. They act as consultants to who need assistance and provide standard services such as assistance on writing project proposal, advice on marketing, financing and so on. A network of these will be established as the programme expands geographically. Outside the ambit of this funding, a web-based support tools will be developed over time to support these services.

[5] Financial Linkages

Community input consistently highlighted that a major impediment to entrepreneur development in rural communities was the lack of transparency, faced by the average rural entrepreneur, in financing a start up or in acquiring funds to finance expansion. Many of the potential candidates for training expressed the futility in even attending any of the EDS seminars since they had heard numerous anecdotes on this issue.

Given the severity of this concern amongst established and potential entrepreneurs, DA / TARAhaat were forced to actively develop relationships with local financing institutions. Extensive presentations were made to senior local banking mangers. Based on an in depth due diligence carried out by these individuals, of the products and services offered by the EDS programme, and the roll of DA / TARAhaat in developing and delivering the service, many of managers were not only willing to attend training sessions to discuss how financial institutions approach the granting of loans and evaluate credit worthiness, but they have also offered to assist qualified individuals in obtaining financing for eligible businesses. The active development of alliances and linkages with financial institutions has become a cornerstone of the programme. TARAhaat has therefore incorporated the participation of financial services institutions as a key element of its training programme.

[6] Marketing

EDS ensures that aspiring entrepreneurs are trained in the best and most relevant marketing practices to ensure that they have the tools and the skills to develop new opportunities and develop their markets. EP products provide specific skills and solutions to assist the entrepreneur. Templates of Marketing collateral are an integral component of the EDS training.

In addition the importance of ethical business practices and the need to focus on customer centric approach to sales and after sales service is emphasized in the training courses.

Local consultants, called TARAgurus, are experts on a number of business or industry specific issues. They act as consultants to who need assistance and provide standard services such as assistance on writing project proposal, advice on marketing, financing and so on. A network of these will be established as the programme expands geographically. Outside the ambit of this funding, a web-based support tools will be developed over time to support these services.

Regional Rural Bank

Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan

Regional Employment Exchange Bureau, Jhansi region

Uttar Pradesh Udyog Mandal

Central Bank, Lalitpur

District Industries Centre

Khadi & Village Industries Commission

Central Bank

NABARD, Lalitpur

Local NGO’s

Revenue Model

Based on the work done to date the following sources of revenue enable the EDS programme to be sustainable over the long run.

Fees and support charges

Advertisement & Sponsorships

Fees to suppliers / vendors of enterprises set up

Consultancy fees to TARAguru (entrepreneur mentor)

User Charges for web based support services

Revenue share from entrepreneur’s product/service marketed through the network of TARAhaat’s kiosks

Involvement of Local Entrepreneurs/ Franchisees

During the Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) & Enterprise Package (EP) training programme we ensure where possible, that potential entrepreneurs / trainees receive hands on technical experience in the business they select, through an internship programme. A strong relationship with existing entrepreneurs in the project implementing area is therefore necessary. To facilitate these arrangements, DA / TARAhaat have established a partnership with Uttar Pradesh Udyog Mandal, providing access to their members. During the EDP training programme, an internship of trainees also helps to monitor and assess the trainee’s performance.

Over time it is intended that enterprises setup by DA / TARAhaat trained entrepreneurs in each state, will be enrol in local associations of existing entrepreneurs comparable to the model established with the Uttar Pradesh Udyog Mandal. Negotiations with each state Udyog Mandal or a comparable organization will be conducted as the programme footprint expands. As the population of successful enterprises grows, an Entrepreneur Club will also be established in every district, on a model similar to the KISAN CLUB, whereby entrepreneurs will be able to interact and learn from existing local entrepreneurs. It will also provide a forum for entrepreneurs to discuss their problems and their solutions.

Besides the partnership with Uttar Pradesh Udyog Mandal, we have initiated the following programmes for the trained potential entrepreneurs: